A new era of collaboration and community empowerment: Stockport launches VCFSE Alliance

The Alliance will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Stockport, aligning with the borough’s ambitious One Stockport, One Future vision to make Stockport the best place for everyone to live happy and healthy lives.

The One Stockport VCFSE Alliance brings together diverse organisations from across Stockport’s vibrant voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector. With a focus on elevating the influence of the sector within strategic decision-making, the Alliance aims to foster stronger partnerships across the public, private, and third sectors, ensuring that community voices are heard at every level.

A Unified Approach for a Stronger Future

Stockport is home to a diverse and dynamic VCFSE sector, which has long played an essential role in supporting residents, promoting well-being, and addressing social challenges. The launch of the VCFSE Alliance follows the One Stockport VCFSE Strategy, which identified three core priorities: Investment & Funding, Capacity Building, and Community Power. These form the foundation of the Alliance's mission, ensuring the sector has the resources, skills, and opportunities to thrive.

The VCFSE Alliance will act as a single strategic body, providing a unified voice for the sector. This will ensure greater visibility and influence in key forums and decision-making spaces, both locally and within the wider Greater Manchester area.

Empowering Communities, Amplifying Voices

Stockport’s VCFSE sector has been a beacon of support for local communities, and the Alliance will build upon this success by:

• Amplifying Community Voices: Ensuring that the voices of local residents and organisations are heard and reflected in strategic planning and decision-making.
• Increasing Representation: Providing a platform for a broad range of VCFSE organisations, from grassroots initiatives to larger enterprises, to have their voices represented at all levels.
• Fostering Equity and Inclusion: Supporting efforts to reduce inequalities and create a fairer, more inclusive Stockport for all.

Leadership and Collaboration

The Alliance will be chaired by the Chief Executive of Sector 3 and will initially meet on a quarterly basis. Its membership includes key representatives from a wide range of organisations, such as the Stockport Women & Girls Network, Faith Network, Marbury Road Edible Garden, Stockport Race Equality Partnership and Stockport Council, ensuring broad representation across the borough’s diverse communities.

The Alliance will serve as one of Stockport’s six strategic partnerships, sitting alongside the Economic Alliance and Listen! Youth Alliance. By fostering closer collaboration between the VCFSE sector, public bodies, and businesses, the Alliance aims to ensure that Stockport remains a leader in community-driven innovation and social impact.

“The launch of the One Stockport VCFSE Alliance marks an exciting new chapter for Stockport. By coming together as one, we can ensure that the voices of our communities are heard, and their needs are met. This is a true partnership that will help shape the future of Stockport.” Jo McGrath, Chief Executive, Sector 3

“Stockport’s VCFSE sector has always been a vital part of our community, and the Alliance will strengthen this even further. It will ensure that we can work more closely together to address the challenges we face and create a healthier, happier borough for all.” Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council

About the VCFSE Alliance

The One Stockport VCFSE Alliance is a strategic partnership dedicated to enhancing collaboration across the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector. Its mission is to empower local organisations, amplify community voices, and ensure that the VCFSE sector plays a key role in shaping the future of Stockport.
To find out more about the One Stockport VCFSE Alliance, including how to submit a question for discussion, visit the Stockport VCFSE Alliance web page.

Image shows the Alliance members at their first meeting, from L-R:
Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Sport at Stockport Council; Holly Rae, Assistant Director - Strategy & Performance at Stockport Council; Jo McGrath, CEO of Sector 3, Victoria Blomfield, COO of Sector 3; Michael Cullen, CEO of Stockport Council; Ryan McMurdo, Head of Relationships at Starting Point; Jacqui Wood, CEO at ARC (Arts for Recovering in the Community); Philippa Johnson, Deputy Place Lead, Stockport NHS Greater Manchester; Kathryn Rees, Executive Director - Corporate & Support at Stockport Council; Beth Nunn, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of PIE (Pursuing Individual Excellence); Kell Degnen, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of The Manc Forager; Nadia Ali, Chair of Stockport Women & Girls Network and Found & CEO of Make A Difference GM